Work

Low-Carbon Economic Dispatch Method for Integrated Energy in Aluminum Electrolysis Considering Production Safety Constraints

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The aluminum electrolysis industry is a typical high-energy-consumption and high-carbon-emission sector, and its low-carbon transformation is crucial for achieving “dual-carbon” goals. However, aluminum electrolysis is constrained by thermodynamic safety limits, and conventional dispatch models also often overlook carbon emission trading and the integrated utilization of waste heat. To address these challenges, a low-carbon economic dispatch method considering production safety constraints is proposed in the paper for integrated energy systems in aluminum electrolysis, aiming to enhance wind power utilization and ensure operational safety. First, a load model incorporating thermodynamic safety constraints is developed, and a thermal dynamics equation of electrolytic cells is established to characterize the temperature dynamics of aluminum loads. Then, a bi-level optimization framework for the power–aluminum system is constructed: the upper level minimizes grid power-supply costs by coordinating thermal, wind, and photovoltaic generation, while the lower level maximizes enterprise profit, balancing production safety and economic efficiency to achieve coordination between the system and enterprise layers. Finally, a tiered carbon trading mechanism and waste heat heating model are integrated into the framework, combined with a second-order RC building thermal inertia model to realize coordinated optimization among electricity, heat, and carbon flows. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively reduces carbon emissions while ensuring electrolytic cell safety: with carbon trading, emissions decrease by 7.2%; when incorporating waste heat utilization reduces boiler heating emissions, they decrease by 74.7%; and further considering building thermal inertia increases wind power utilization to 99.6%, achieving the coordinated optimization of electricity–heat–carbon systems.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr13113442

Authors: Yulong Yang, Songyuan Li, Songnan Wang, Ruiming Zhang

Institutions: Northeast Electric Power University, State Grid Corporation of China (China), Xinjiang Institute of Engineering

Language: English

Topic: Integrated Energy Systems Optimization

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896